davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

had gone home. Death had como 70 old
Aunt Polly, an unexpected guest at the
last Mr.. Hastings read and re-read the
letter, shook his head and kept saying:
TOO bad too bsdf"
''But she was very old, John; too old to
mako the journey hore. You know the years
count after we roach seventy"
"But it's the luck Look at the bad luck.
In all the years we have house-kept, Jenny,
we never were without q Christmas guest
but once"
"And that was the year you broke your
lee and hid typhoid fever"
I:And the best cow in the herd went of
her feed and died"
"Ani the pork curled in the pan, and
Mildred had the whooping cough and
chiclen-rasA together"
ayes, it's no use to say there's nothing in
l.. Tho laws Of natur' are stricJer than the
law of books May be it amt too late to ask
somebody n yet. Where's Mildred"
tShy IS gone o7or to visit Barbara Curtis.
John. wish our Mildred was married to q
good husband"
"Whe1en you find emit" asked Mr.. Hast
inCs, with a CLEAN of humor in his eye, I'm
not in tho market"
sNo. but Seth Franklin is, and he's loved
our Mildred since they went to school to-
gcthcr."
'Then why don't he tell her sol warn't
tongue-tied when was 8 courtin' you, Jen- T"
''lSo, but he's different; he's that bashful
that he never dared to touch her hand. And
the worst Of it is, John, Mildred is in love
with him. / know the symptoms well
enough when see EN-"
"But about our Christmas company,
there'n be nobody in the spare room to-
night unless go out into the highways and
| by-wsys and ask 'em inland it's too late now
for that. Hulloi what's thatl'i
Thudi thud thudI came something bump
| ing along the frcnt Of the house, and then,
bang it went, against the front door.
Mrs. Hastings went and dragged out an
| old shotgun that hadn't been fired on in q
/ dozen years.
protect yourself, JOhnP' she said, in a
shalry voice.
For an answer Mr. Hastings pulled open
the outer door. A dark object lay across
the threshold
"Bring light, wife. Jerushyl If it amt
Seth Franklin flung right plumb at u.s."
''It's q runaway" said Mrs. Hastings,
/ who could discern the faint sounds Of q
horses retreating feet.
81 hope he ain't''- He did not say the
VIZ
house, where he had the satisfaction Of see
ing that he breathed regularly. Indeed, he
was not seriously hurt, for, as he slowly
opened his eyes, he said, in dazed way:
mildred kicked, and then run away.
expect she's running yet Whoa there,
Mildred, Whoal'
"He means his horse, expect" suggest
ed Mr.. Hastings.
s.Eh-oh-Where am I-Your honor, the
case is called"
''This isn't the courtroom said Mr.
Hastings, laughing hoarsely "ROuse up
man You've been pitched in among friends
Are you hurtl Emmy bones brokel"
''No, Mr.. Hastings, I'm all right now, but
it was a close call, that. I'm only bruised
and shaken up some"
"Well. wife, fetch some arnikT and
Wen soon find the bruises. Come to thinl
of it you'll have 70 stay all night, and that:
good luck for us. We've got Christmas
company to entertain after al, Jenny"
Seth Franklin was very willing to SETTLE
down for the night in that comfortable
home, he who had no home at all, now tina
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28


pointed me before; but there, it will never
do for me to sit here all evening"" Resting
her dimpled chin on her hand she consid-
cred moment, then brightly said;
II have an idea, Finette, get me up as a
sister of charity, we can easily manage it,
and it will be a surprise to every one" and
she laughed merrily as she thought of one
who had expected to meet her as queen Of
the fairies.
A few hours later demure nun mingled
with the gay throng.
'Sweet sister," said one in the garb Of
hunter, II am in trouble, can you help mep
''Sir knight of the rueful countenance it
is my mission to comfort those in distress,
how can I assist youln
II came here tonight in search Of the
fairest sprite on earth, but either she has
returned to her native fairy land, or has
rendered herself invisible to my material
eyes, for find her not, and therefore am
sad, sweet sister. "
'sFaithfulnesss will meet its own reward,
and perseverance conquers all things"
Thanks, gentle sister"
Into this and similar light bandinage in
which most Of the guests joined, came
sudden and violent summons at the door.
A policeman entered hastily bearing the
helpless form Of a woman.
excuse me-, he said, II found her Just
by the door and this box in her arms, and
she is too much exhausted to take her far
Their IN this storm"
Take her in here" said the nun, and
Just as he entered a quiet room at the rear
Of the hall, a tall figure in black dominoe
sprang forward, and catching the burden
from its bearer, showered kisses on the cold
face, saying:
''My darling, is it thus find youl''
The nun quickly threw aside her mask,
her golden hair escaping from the Golf, she
seemed in her proper sphere as she endeav-
ored to restore the unconscious girl To
her establishment she recognized her friend
Grace, and then she redoubled her efforts,
but though she labored skillfully, / think the
caresses which were lavished upon her by
the tall stranger whose discarded mask re-
vealed the handsome features of Mr.. Har-
court had more to do with her restoration
than all the remedies Constance had applied.
Finding this to be the case Constance dis
creetly left the united lovers alone; but just
as she passed under the arch leading to this
secluded apartment, she was surprised tc
find herself caught in the embrace Of the
valiant hunter and as he pressed kiss upon
her saintly-brow, he said:
81 make no apology, for there is my war
rant.n and he pointed to the Mistletoe
bough, under which Mr.. Harcourt had borne
the unconscious form Of his recovered treas
ure.
I OF course there was muchto be explained
I Mr.. Harcourt told Grace that her letter die
not reach him for some time as he was
travelling he wrote at once but owing Il
her change of residence she never received
the letter, and since his return he haS
sought her in vain, so he successfully prov
ed to Miss Ellerton that only her own prid'
had separated them, and he also proved Z
her that their marriage had been delaye'
long enough, so the New Year opened to then
the door into happy future where the mis-
fortunes Of the past viii be lost sight Of Il
the joy Of the present.
Mas L. B. LAvELY.
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

language Of the schoolgirls, and ridiculed
his tow-colored locks and gawky limbs
And he knew It, too; but instead Of hating
her for il, he only loved her all the more as
9 divinity set far above him.
But when he returned home after Eve
years course ct college, situations changed
he was still homely, but he was no longer
awkward, and his bashfulness became him
like the reserve Of cultivated nature. He
no longer blushed or fidgetted whom he met
Mildred. and his friends said: "Seth has
got over the old love"
Had hel Do men get over q case Of love,
as II IL were measles or mumpsi They
might think so, but there was one person
who knew better. That was Mildred her
self. He no longer blushed, but he turned
cold, and his voice trembled, though he
tried hard to steady it, and did steady It 70
all ears but hers. She knew and felt that
tremor that ran through his well-chosen
and carefully-modulated words. He might
deceive the world and himself-he could
not deceive her.
aWhy don't you take wifel' his mother
inquired, anxiously.
And he answered in the jocose vein Of 6
great wit.
- Whose wife shall take, motherl'
But one night he nearly ventured 70 re-
veal what was in his mind.
His mother had been urging him TO marry.
She wished to 90 out West and settle with
an older child, daughter, but could NOT
bear 70 leave Seth alone.
So he preached the matter to Mildred as
he was seeing her home from church
II suppose" he began, IN true Yankee
style, .sthat you know good many bright
pretty girls who are hOnseEeepers and would
make good What was thatin
Mildred had laughed aloud. Il was ~
actual truth, and a. the very moment when
her fate was about to be decided.
Wen,n she said, recovering herself
siYghat was Il you Wantedln
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

was Smith. His wife was the best little
woman in the world. She worked like
slave. He had never given her Christmas
present before, but one Christmas he made
an exception. She gave him beautifully
quilted silk dressing gown, and In return he
gave her new buck-saw to replace the
dull one she was using, so she would not
have 70 work so hard during the winter
saving up the wood for the stove. The poor
woman thanked HIM with tears in her eyes
at this unexpected kindness and considera-
ton"
Mrs. Symperton sadly shook her head at
the recital Of this act Of cruelty.
Speaking Of saving wood, }" said Tommy,
81 want fiddle for Christmas; want to
learn how to play on the fiddle. want q
gun, too"
I'D rather get you the gun than the i'd
die. The gun kills the quickest" said Sym
perton, who dislil1es music.
''If pa is going to have pair Of slippers
want them padded. / don't want MIN to
wear any other kind. Billy Jones' ma uses
a bootjack- He says she has corns on the
inside Of her thumb from using it on him so
much"
'Don't be afraid, Tommy; Parson Smothe-
ly Will get all the slippers" remarked Mr.. S.
'Yes," remarked Tommy, .bOys and
preachers are both presented with slippers,
but the ceremonies amt the same; at least
/ don" suppose they are; but, then, I've
never seen a clergyman presented with q
pair Of slippers"
There is one thing III never be able to
understand" continued Symperton, land
that is why all the ladies in the congrega-
ton present the preacher with slippers.
One would suppose from the number of
slippers he gets that he is a centipede and
has a hundred feet. l have been told that
the shoe firms make regular bids TO clergy
men for their slippers. They have barrels
of slippers on tap. By the way saw Syl-
vanus Binks few days ago. What do you
suppose he is going to give his wifef'
Il have no idea"
"a new piano"
'But Mrs. Binks can't play"
That's just the reason Binks gets her a
piano. You don't suppose he would be such
fool to buy her a piano if she could play.
He buys it TO set OF the parlor."
"Our teacher don't thump us on the head
no more when we get together and talk In
school" observed Tommy.
"Why don't heln
because he knows we are talking about
that present we are going to give him. He
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

night,
All seated on the ground,
The Angel Of the Lord came down,

The Angel OF the Lord came down,
And GLORY shone around"
Seth listened as in a dream. It all re-
solved itself into one theme-Blildred-
dred. Alas the worship in his cowardly
heart was for the creature, instead of the
creator but then we know that God is love.
He made a final pretense of going home,
but Mr. Hastings said, emphatically;
"Why man alive you're crazyl You don't
stir out of this tonight
So he was installed in the sacred guest
chamber and being afraid to disturb the i'm
maculate squares of lace and embroidery,
that protected the pillows, he rolled himself
in a sumpter blanket and laid down on the
divan-sofa-
A half hour later Mildred and her friend
came home, and finding the latch-string out,
stole softly in and hurried upstairs. As
Mildred passed her mothers room she went
in and left a goodnight kiss. Mrs. Hast
ings was nearly asleep, but she whispered
something to Mildred in adisjointed fashion
that brought the color into the good, wom-
anly face.
She laughed when she was in her room
with her friend and light
mother said something about the spare
room. expect she has a present there for
me. When a child had to go there in the
dark and find it. always found doll.
"You are too old for dolls now" answered
her friend, lightly, 'but whatever it is, you
can find it by your sense Of feeling"
"Come then" said Mildred, and they
joined hands and stepped together over the
hall, and stood on the threshold Of the
guest-chamber.
"Do you know it is the first time in my
memory that this room was unoccupied by
Christmas guest l remember how
frightened Aunt Polly once by creeping in
to get my Christmas gift"
'May be her ghost is there now" whis-
pered Barbara.
Mildred gave a smothered shrek and
then the two stepped in giggling like school
| girls.
The undisturbed white bed doomed up in
! the darkness.
christmas present, where are youl"
"Here-presentp answered q choking
voice-a mans voice Enthusiastically.
The screams that followed, brought
/ Father and Mother Hastings on the scene
half-dressed but wholly awake, each carry
| ing weapon of defense. Mrs. Tasting:
armed with the rolling pin, and Mr.. Hast
/ ings with the tongs.
There was very pretty tableau revealed
to them then. Seth Franklin bravely sup
| porting the half-fainting form Of Mildred
to whom Barbara was clinging shrieking
| hystercany.
Ill thought" sobbed Mildred che was {
| Christmas present"
81 am, if you will only take me,' was i
Seth Franklin who spoke up in that cieal
ringing voicel
"Welll well well; !" laughed Father Hast
ings, ''if ever see the like Of thatr'
sit is Christmas eve," continued Seth il
that eloquent voice that had convinced
jurles and influenced iudges-"there is nj
holier or happier time to bring loving heart
together than this. l was at deaths doc
tonight, and saw my wasted life in a new
light Iwant Mildred''-he looked at he
huHbly and deprecatingly-"does Mildre,
want mel"
Her blushing, fearful face was NOR
eloquent than any words.
Mas. n. L. RAYEE.
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
BROWNS NEW YEARS vow.

" GOd-byer' exclaimed HIS help-mate, " now,
Remember, dear your New Years VOW"
" This time I'll keep it, sure as life"
He smiled, and kissed his happy wife.
Each time he PASSED liquor shop
He looked away, and wouldn't stop.
He met three cronies on the street:
" Come in" they urged, We want TO treat"
"Noi I've sworn on. Brown nobly said.
Ny nose shall not be painted red"
"Hurrahr' they cried, wen swear Oh, too"
CThis shows what good examples dol
" There's nothing now can make me fall"
Brown thought, as he went in 70 call"
"A happy New Years, ladiesr' cried
Our hero, bowling. when inside.
The same to you, and many more"
The ladies answered, as OF yore.
For iust 1--WE minutes altogether
The angels talked about the weather,
Then led Brown to the table, where
They heaped his plate with New Years fare.
Poor Brownl He balanced on his knees
That plate, and tried 70 hold q sneeze,
Which, bursting like . thunder clap,
Shot plate and all from on his lap
"oi Mr.. Brown, you've taken cold"
Cried out the ladies, young and old.
Alas upon that table stood
Decsnters filed with no ones good.
And dainty hands commenced 70 I'LL
The glasses, 70 allay Browns chill.
AhemTr Brown blushed, and gave q cough,
m Indiesf I've gWorn of
80, New Years day don't count" they smiled,
As, Eve-like, they poor Brown beguiled
And, Adam-like, Brown fell anew,
Because the ladies asked him 70.
A soft white hand presented brandy;
Brown drank-then felt quite like dandy.
Another offered him some sherry;
He drank it, and grew very merry.
A wife and mother gave him whisky;
Another port; Brown now was frisky.
"Hic). Happy New Yearl Chic) shay
Lots Of 'eu-, ladies' Ohicl HOo-rayir'
And then-the truth shall here be told,
He kissed each female, young and old
"Helpl Murderi ThievesI POlicei" they
shrieked,
While husbands mad, rushed in and wreaked
On Brown their vengeance. tin, most dead,
With shattered VOWS and broken head,
He, in an ambulance was sent
| To face his wife, and there repent
MORAL.
Nov, ladies near, and ladies far,
| Don't keep on New Year Day . par,
! For many . man slips OF the brink
| When women tempt him thus 70 drink.
! Another's husband, son-perhnps
/ Your oWn-mAy from these New Year traps
I BIS ruin ind. o, ladies, all
| Care for the Browns, who'll on you call
! H. C. DODGE.
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

But be never finished It. When Christ
mas came he wrote her long, formal offer
Of his heart and hand, and fastened the let
ter in the branches of the teachers Christ
mas tree at the church. He said several
pretty things in it about giving himself and
all his possessions, for her acceptance, and
waited within sight Of the church, intending
to be on hand to walk home with her if she
would have him. The signal, to be the let
ter worn at her belt
But a careless hand ignited the tree from
a burning taper, and, in the panic which en-
sued, Seth saw a more fortunate rival bear
ing his Mildred to place Of safety.
Soon after he lost another opportunity.
He was escorting her home when he sud
denly asked:
"Hsve you ever thought Of m-m-oving
out Westi"
It was so evident that he had not finished
his sentence as he intended to, that Mildred
laughed again. What possessed herl
"Win you give me good reference if 1
dol" she asked, demurely.
Indeed will, Mildred" he answered,
with all seriousness. "Why, Mildred dc
you know have always thought you were
the best-gct out, you brute they had
reached the gate, and ferocious mastih
was worrying mildred lover. One SOOJneQ
him with word the dog, not the lover),
aud waited to hear more.
Goodnight" he said, and there was a
world of meaning in the words; but the
most imaginative girl could hardly construe
It into an offer.
"And that is the man who can address q
| Jury and fascinate an audience with his or
story,n thought Mildred, land yet he is
frightened to death at ono poor little wom-
AM III think no more of him"
| Then she thought all the more Of him,
and laid little innocent traps which always
/ sprung before he was in them.
Years passed away; Seth was quite re-
| spectacle old bachelor and Mildred was
| Just turning the first corner toward being
an old maid. and the laggard in love had
never yet found the courage TO say: mil
| dred, love you"
It was Christmas eve. At the Hastings
homestead there was unusual quiet, and an
absence Of the customary merrIment Of past
seasons. Some of this was due to letter
Father Hastings had received that day
] ,r-l,iob h-,u, norrvu from a for country A
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

memories of other Christmas Ewes, when
she, too, had been a belle, and queened it
royalty in her set. Her father had been
wealthy, and the close Of her first season
in society was marked by her engagement
to Walter Harcourt, a splendid match"
the wise ones said Soon after the be-
trothal, Mr.. Harcourt was obliged to go
TO Europe. He was detained longer than
he expected, but letters were frequent, and
Grace was happy in anticipating his return.
The great fire Of 1871 swept over her ma
tive city, and not only left her family home
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

mo destitute person need pass
this place hungry" is the sign in front
of the St. Roniface Hotel in West
chester township New York. The
sign has been out thirty years, and the
pledge has Been nobly kept by Ru-
dolph Fitzpatrick. the warm-hearled
landlord
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

less, but well-nigh penniless. Mr.. Eilerton
made almost superhuman efforts to rescue
his dear ones from the devouring flames,
and, though he succeeded, it was at the ex-
pense Of his own life Kind friends shell
tered the homeless cnes for the time, and
Grace wrote to her lover, telling him Of
their great loss, and anxioUsly awaited his
reply and speedy return
But no letter came, her heart grew sick
with hope deferred, and then her pride rose;
she was nolQnger the petted daughter Of >
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
THE uNsPEAKABLE GIFT.

for Him
o uenf with sin dehled,
Could you accord unto your Lord
No better place than this
When all for you lie willingly
Gave up the realms Of blissi
Professed followers Of Him,
Oh, is il so to-day?
Are you, who beast an ardent love,
Always more true Than they?
Does the best part OF your poor heart
Hold the Eedeemcr's face,
Or do you only grant to Him
Some mean q I'd lOwly placer
Sad, weary shepherd keeping watch
To night in fields OF care,
Look up, and see the shining one,
The glory every where.
"Fear not, he cries, ''the glad SURPRISE
The oldel peace bring,
Tor unto you again is born
Your Saviour and your King"
Just as OF yore in midnight skies
Appears the angel throng,
And all the starry worlds resound
With bursts OF Heavenly song.
What tidings blest of JOY and resti
Shall any turn away,
Refusing stu the high command
To find the Chr st to-dayG
The truly wise. behold they como
Obedient to HIS star!
Der hill and plain and raging sea
They gather from afar,
And at His feet pour treasures sweet
That never can grow old,
The best frankincense Of the heart
Its precious myrrh and gold
JULIA H. THAYER
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
Madison Co. Bonds

The Bonds issued in payment Of sub
scriDtion Of Madison county to Louisville
and Nashville Railroad due in February.
Apri,. Tulv and October. 1857 and 1888.
will he maid on maturity at the Madison
National Bank. Richmond. Ky.
rte c. D. cHENAULT. Co.'S.
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
HARRISON MILLER
Jun22tf.

Has opened Furniture Repairing and
UPhOlstering Shop second door from
the POst-office, next to Hunley's Livery
Stable. All work done at reasonable
rates. LAYING CARPETS A SPECIAL
TY. 7decif
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

his mother was in the West He felt all
about him the sweet influence of the woman
he loved, yet he had not the courage to ask
why she was not there. Mr.. Hastings final
" explained that Mildred had gone to see
her friend. Barbara Curtis, and as it was
late, they would not { up any longer but
would have worship at once. Worship
meant reading aloud the wonderful story
Christ is Born and in singing a hymn
Seth was a good tenor, and his voice blended
well with Miidred's. but he was too much
shaken up tonight to sing. So father and
mother Hastings quavered along in the old
fashioned tune that 50 well suits the mar
velous story:
"wnne shepherds watched their aocss b.
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
SETH'S COURTING;
Or Better Late Than Never-A
Christmas Story.

ETH FRANKLIN had
been in love with
pretty Mildred Hast
ings ever since she
was in pinafores and
he in roundabouts,
and was accustomed,
as boy and youth, TO
blush violently every
time he met her.
She always ''made
funn of him in the
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
UNDER THE MISTLETOE.
A Search for Fairy That Proved
Fruitless.

RACE ELLERTON
sat with busy fingers
and aching h e a d
an d art in
Ma dam NJ cores
dress-making estab-
lishment; her fin
gers were busy with
the finishing Of an
exquisite, fancy cos
tune for Miss Con-
stance Bolton, the
belle Of the season.
Her head and heart
were filed with
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

Ask your physician to leave your
reseri ptiOn at Whites Drug Store. II
VIII lie accurately compounded and
sent to your house. u9tf
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
THE SYMPERTONS.
They Discuss Christmas-Tom
Also Offers a Few Suggestions.

R. and Mrs. Symper-
ton were sitting in
their parlOr one even
ing not long before
Christmas. Their son
Tommy, a mere
youth, was busy read
ing "Pe ck's B ad
Boy" and mixing oc-
casionany in the con-
alton. Mrs.
Symperton was a
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28
Hardin W Bright A. NJ, M. D.
PHYSICIAN and SURGEON,
RICHMOND, KY.

OFFICE: Second street, over Madi-
son County Drug Store.
want il distinctly understood That /
am the only one ia Richmond that I'M
dersiands the thorough use OF the
Microscope and Chemistry as applied
% examinations of tissues and fluids
Of the human body. L only mention
this Tor honest protection. My sigma
ture will be attached to each examine
lion. 23mchly
The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1887-12-28

do you want pure drugs and the best
brands Of tObace0s and cigar? You
can find them at J. J. Brooks
June22-tf